In our base rental house, there was a picture of the statue of Iwo Jima re-enactment. I briefly described it in 4 YO language to GS. Then SIL decided to describe it to him in language a 14 YO might understand…I figured SIL could ‘dual task’ by also holding the content 5 mo old baby, but he chided me that I did not ask his permission for giving the baby to him! He then told me I am not to go into their bedroom, and I said “the door was open and I just looked in on which child was in bed with DD…” SIL still has some issues…during a football game yesterday, DD asked him to make a bottle for crying baby, and he said “wait until half time”!!! Uh, no, that did not fly. DD needed to go to the rest room…she should not have to spell out that the children’s needs do come before seeing a few football plays to a game he was not even vested in on the teams…
The 6 yo. Informed me yesterday that her mom’s favorite colors are cerelean and teal. Where does she get this stuff? She had me at vermillion!
You and your SIL don’t seem to get along very well. I know you’ve had a lot to say about him in the past. What does your D say about all of this?
Actually, when I confront him about things he says or does directly to me, he backs down. That happened one time this trip, and he could see his complaint was w/o merit. Things went much better this year at niece’s for Thanksgiving, as there was familiarity with all having been together there last year and the older grandkids needed less supervision. With all our relatives at our niece’s home, we gave them (the younger crowd) a lot of space – the evening before they left, they had hours with the rest of the relatives while we called it a night early and were at our rental place.
DD is the anchor of the family, but SIL is improving. SIL typically goes along with what she needs/wants him to do - heck she managed the family for 9 months while he was away on Army training. I suspect it is a little bit what SIL can get away with as he sees others perhaps willing to help DD. Sometimes he says some things that are clearly not true (which he did when we were together a few weeks ago - DH, SIL, and me with the grandkids), and DH had set him straight - things nonpersonal, but SIL speaks like authority and he does listen to DH. I refuse to point out anything non-relevant/not important – I would rather just deal with important things as they happen, and try to be very quiet and handle in the best way possible. I say complimentary things to SIL, and ask questions about his career - I show interest in him. It is going better, and look to having the Christmas holiday going well. SIL/DD need to work out their leave time to cover the days GD1 and GS1 have no school, and we will be there some of those days. I will be doing a lot of asking SIL how he wants things done when DD is at work - he likes to be in charge, and it will all be at their home. Hopefully a nice rhythm/routine will come about.
When I even try to talk to DH about something SIL said or did, DH says “I don’t want to hear it.” Not that DH doesn’t want to be supportive of me, but DH just likes to deal with ‘smooth sailing’. DH likes being grandpa, but is a less involved grandparent - he is there with me, and interacts some, but I am the one who wants the solid relationships and makes the efforts.
SIL’s parents can’t travel easily, and have medical issues. SIL knows the grandkids and DD benefit from having us around, and so SIL puts up with how annoyed he is with me. Not that I do things that annoy him, but he understands that I look to him to be the best father/husband. However, I let DD give him the feedback - I will not. In order for DD and Grandkids to have life good, I look to having ‘smooth sailing’.
I posted to the Black Friday thread, but I’ll also post it here–
Candylab– which are hand crafted, hand painted (and collectible) wooden toy cars and trucks are 30% off on everything through tonight.
Candycars are matchbox size; Americana cars are much larger.
No batteries, no sound chips, just durable, colorful wooden toys,
Usually you’ll find these in higher end independent toy stores. And they never go on sale.
I brought Twin B a taco truck when I returned for my 2 weeks trip back in August. She still won’t let her sister or brother play with it.
Just found out my future grandson’s name. Middle name is DH’s middle name. Happy tears!
I knew it would happen…yesterday GD said “Mimi”. My heart is melting!
GD is 16 months now and adjusting well to her new daycare. It’s full time (no more Mimi Mondays but we see them at least once or twice a week) and Spanish immersion. She enjoys being with the other kids and loves music. She also loves climbing and the small slide at daycare.
She was taking a few steps but is now walking a lot. Her vocabulary is expanding rapidly and she understands a lot (both English and Spanish).
I know my own kids did all of this (minus the early Spanish), but it’s so much fun to go through this again!
Wonderful news Mimi!! 
I think it’s more fun to go through it with grandkids, because I am not worried about other things related to raising kids. I just get the fun parts!
Exactly! No worrying about laundry, car pools, practices, meetings, doctors, dentists, eye exams, homework, grades and on and on. It’s great. LOL. We babysat our two granddaughters overnight Friday, 2 years old and 5 years old. My heart is so full. I could just eat them up they are so sweet and cute. I pray they never give their parents a hard time. These girls’ dad gave us a VERY hard time along the way. 
Between Christmas and New Year’s DD (mother of 4, ages 6 months - 5 1/2 years) cannot take time off (has Sat-Sun-Mon off for Christmas and Sat-Sun-Mon off for New Year’s). SIL has to work half days between Christmas and New Year’s, so good thing we will be there to give the grandkids lots of love and attention! He is going to work mornings - less disruptive with the kids.
I wanted to share how important it is to keep the babies up to date on shots. My youngest grandchild was born in late October. His pediatrician recommended that he receive the RSV antibody shot in the hospital. They went with that recommendation and I think it was a good call. The babies toddler sibling just is recovering from a serious bout of RSV. Toddler came close to having to be hospitalized. They were on a holiday so 4 of them in an Arbnb and the baby did not get sick.
I get to join this great club today! Goskid and H are at hospital as of 8 this am. But they are ghosting us! Have had no updates since last night…driving me crazy! Vascillating between excited/overjoyed …and dread (is everything ok?). H is stress eating…I’m too nervous to eat! New baby outfit reads “I’ll be home for Christmas” --hope so…it’s getting close!
Oh @gosmom, I’m sure things are OK. Labor might be slow and/or they might want time to themselves with baby before their announcement.
The youngest addition to the Bunsen clan almost figured out how to stand up on her own without grabbing onto something!! She is about a week shy of her 8 months “birthday”… her mom was walking and running at 10 months… so way to go, Bebe! Payback time. 
Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for @gosmom’s family.
@gosmom ~ Praying for a safe delivery and I hope Baby is home for Christmas! What a blessing your precious new grandchild will be!
GosGranddaughter arrived (finally!) at 12:21 this am. Was a LONG day for us! But she is here, looks just like her Mama did…and truly The. Best. Christmas. Present!!!
Congratulations! We’ve all been on tenterhooks here! Enjoy your entrance to GrandmaWorld–it’s the best!
Congratulations 